Reading: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,… and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:19–20

 

Before His death on Calvary Christ told His disciples that He would rise from the dead and would then meet with them in Galilee. It is obvious that there was a special purpose for that gathering and that Christ had a special message to convey. 

When the disciples gathered, Christ reminded them of His sovereign power: all power had been given unto Him in heaven and in earth. Then He commissioned them to go into all the world and preach the gospel. It was a daunting prospect for a small number of despised disciples. Christ was going to ascend to heaven, the world was a hostile place, and they were conscious of their own weakness.

But with the command to go came a promise to comfort. The disciples were not being thrust out to serve alone. The Lord had promised, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” assuring them of His presence and power. They could therefore go forward in confidence and with great courage. As Paul later testified, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). The Lord is our strength. Furthermore, with Christ they would have safety as they served. If God be for us, who can be against us? Satan is a defeated foe. Moreover, with Christ they would have success in their service. Christ’s work cannot fail. He is the one who will build His church and the gates, or counsels, of hell cannot prevail against it. His work must and will succeed.

This was the message the disciples needed to hear. It was full of comfort and encouragement. It has lost none of its force for today’s Christian. We are co-labourers with the Lord. Our service is a glorious partnership. We work, but Christ works in us and through us.

“There is no telling how much power God can put into a man.” C. H. Spurgeon

Taken from A Word in Season edited by Alan Cairns, 2010. Used by permission.